WBC Sightings

17 to 23 April 2016

A male Garganey was present at Carlton Marshes, 22 April. Five Cranes, in groups of three and two, flew over the same site the following evening. A Great White Egret was seen at Castle Marsh, North Cove, 20 April, while Little Egrets were noted at Burgh Castle (four) and Oulton Marshes, 17 April and Carlton Marshes (five), 18 April.

Male Blue-headed Wagtails were seen at Carlton Marshes on 19 and 23 April, with two White Wagtails, 18 April and six Yellow Wagtails, 23 April also recorded at the same site and further Yellow Wagtails at Castle Marsh, 19 April and Burgh Castle (198 roosted), 21 April. A Wheatear was present at Carlton Marshes, 22 April. The first Swift (three at Oulton Marshes, 22 April) and Reed Warbler (Lopham Fen, 23 April) of the year were noted. A Nightingale was heard at Outney Common, Bungay and six Bramblings remained at St Olaves, 19 April and a Grey Wagtail was seen at Bungay, 20 April. Cuckoos were recorded at Lopham Fen, 17 April, Carlton Marshes, 18 April, Castle Marsh, 19 April and Oulton Marshes (three), 20 April; Grasshopper Warblers at Carlton Marshes (six), Oulton Marshes (three), Castle Marsh, (two), 20 April; Cetti’s Warblers at Oulton Marshes (three), Burgh St Peter and Lopham Fen, 17 April, Beccles Marshes (four) and Herringfleet Marshes, 19 April and Carlton Marshes (seven) and Castle Marsh (three), 20 April; Bearded Tits at Burgh Castle, 18 April and Castle Marsh, 19 April; Stonechats at Oulton Marshes, 18 April and Castle Marsh, 23 April and Kingfishers at Carlton Marshes (two), 17 April and Beccles Quay and Redgrave Fen, 20 April.

The first Hobby of the spring was seen at Beccles Marshes, 20 April. Three Buzzards were noted at Redgrave Fen, 17 April. Short-eared Owls were reported from Haddiscoe Island (two) and Carlton Marshes, 17 April and Castle Marsh, 23 April and Barn Owls from Carlton Marshes, Haddiscoe Island and Oulton Marshes, 17 April, Burgh Castle, 18 April, Castle Marsh (two), 19 April and Beccles Marshes, 21 April.

Waders at Carlton Marshes included five Black-tailed Godwits and two Redshanks, 18 April, an Avocet, 19 April, three Bar-tailed Godwits, two Ruff and two Dunlin, 20 April, a Spotted Redshank, four Greenshanks and three Little Ringed Plovers, 22 April. Aldeby shooting lakes hosted 30 Whimbrel, a Spotted Redshank and 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 21 April, four Greenshanks, 22 April and two Avocets, 23 April, with 45 Whimbrel at Beccles Marshes, 21 April. 30 Avocets were present at Burgh Castle Flats, 18 April and two Green Sandpipers at Castle Marsh, 20 April, while further Redshanks were seen at Beccles Marshes (two), 19 April and Castle Marsh (two), 20 April.